The HeartFull Connections 'Ohana

Living Life in Harmony

throughthe Hawaiian Way of the Heart

An Online Membership

“The new expanded spirituality is all inclusive. It is inclusive, because it comes from unconditional love. In the concept of unconditional love there is no exclusion. Everything and everyone is seen as a part of oneself. It is a beautiful spirituality as the one who lives by its principles cannot by definition be a part of any conflict.” – Raphael Zernoff

If you have ever seen the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch then you probably remember hearing the word “Ohana.” The movie explains the meaning of this word with simplicity.

In Hawai'i, the word ‘ohana is an important part of everyday life. Hawaiian families understand how aloha is the essential element in every ‘ohana as loving and caring for each other. It is the glue that holds families together and becomes the social fabric for the Hawaiian Islands.

When you're a member of an 'ohana, you share in its responsibilities, whatever they might be. The 'ohana also includes everyone in that family. We are family in how we share and talk story and in how we work together

'Ohana is not something that someone else can determine for you. Being part of an 'ohana is your own spiritual practice, and there is room for everyone to share love and receive love in the way that makes the most sense for them.

Because 'ohana goes beyond the immediate family, it can be extended to include a family/clan 'ohana, work/recreational 'ohana, and church/school 'ohana. Having these different types of 'ohana are helpful for other people to understand who you are.

When hula is being learned and danced together in a Hālau, an "ohana is created between the students, the teacher and the hula lineage that stands behind that teacher. It is a circle in which the teacher is there not only to teach, but to receive. The student is not only there to learn, but also to teach. The bond is not to be replaced. It is to be maintained and nurtured through hard times, as well as good times. Love endures and has no end.

The word ohana is rooted in the taro plant – "oha-ana": "ohā" is the shoot, the part of the taro plant which is cut from the plant and planted to become the next generation; "ana" is a conjunctive word connoting regeneration or procreation. Procreation and regeneration carried important implications for Polynesians, and Hawaiians who think of "kalo" (taro) as the older sibling of man.

'Ohana includes all who are brought into the family group. Your 'ohana nourishes you.

'Once in an 'ohana it is a give and take relationship among the members whether they are past, present or future. It is said that an 'ohana should always be preparing for the generation ahead, typically those in seven generations from now.

from the book, “Kahiko Connection – ‘Ohana, a Cultural Root.” by Leilani S.Hino